Principal Solicitor

Department-of-Internal-Affairs-Nz; Wellington; Sur place; NZD 148 000 - 185 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Department of Internal Affairs in Wellington seeks a Principal Solicitor to provide senior legal guidance across regulatory frameworks. You will support the Legal Managers, oversee the team’s risk and regulatory work, and help improve cross-team collaboration.

The role requires a minimum of 7 years PQE, strong public law expertise, and leadership abilities to mentor colleagues while delivering high-quality advice. Applicants should be able to work under urgency and adapt to diverse portfolios.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years PQE in legal practice.
• Senior-level experience with complex/high-risk matters.
• Strong regulatory and public law expertise.
• Ability to move across portfolios quickly.
• Effective under urgency and ambiguity.

Responsabilités

• Provide strategic legal advice across regulatory frameworks.
• Mentor and coach other senior lawyers.
• Lead or support priority projects and investigations.
• Collaborate with Crown Law and external advisers.

Connaissances

Senior legal experience

Regulatory/public law

Māori/Crown relations interest

Te Tiriti o Waitangi awareness

Strategic advisory

Leadership/mentoring

Formation

Barrister and Solicitor NZ

Current practicing certificate

Description du poste

About Us | M\u014B m\u0101tou

The legal mahi at Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs spans so many areas, for example gambling regulation (including online gambling), anti-money laundering, digital identity, charities, National Library and Archives, life events (births, deaths, marriages and civil unions), citizenships, ministerial services, and inquiry support to name a few.

The role | Tet\u016Bnga

As Principal Solicitor, you will be a trusted senior adviser deployed where your expertise is most needed. Working across Te Tari's two legal teams, you will support the Legal Managers oversee the team’s regulatory work and legal risk, as well as look for ways to improve how the team works across our regulatory frameworks.

The mahi spans across Te Tari Taiwhenua's diverse portfolio. You may focus on working in a particular area, lead a special project, take care of a sensitive or complex matter, provide senior capacity during an urgent response, or support another lawyer to deliver high-quality advice.

You will help identify priorities and emerging risks, provide strategic and practical guidance, review or shape advice, mentor colleagues, and build legal capability across the organisation.

The work involves regulatory compliance and enforcement and providing strategic advice in relation to litigation. You will build trusted relationships across Te Tari Taiwhenua, Crown Law, and external advisers, while contributing to capability and continuous improvement across the Legal Team.

This role suits an experienced, adaptable lawyer who enjoys variety, works well at pace and helps others deliver excellent work.

What you bring | N\u014Bu te rourou

• A minimum of 7 years PQE
• Proven senior-level legal experience and sound judgement on complex or high-risk matters
• Strong regulatory and public law expertise
• The agility to move between portfolios and quickly understand unfamiliar issues
• Working effectively under urgency, sensitivity or ambiguity
• The ability to identify emerging risks, support managerial oversight, and elevate issues while providing options for moving forward
• Excellent communication, relationship management and influencing skills
• A collaborative leadership style with experience mentoring, coaching and supporting other senior lawyers;
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi is important to the legal team’s work, so an interest in Māori/ Crown relations and the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is desirable
• Qualification as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, with a current practising certificate or eligibility to obtain one

For you | M\u014Bu

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo.

To learn more about the diverse, important mahi we do at the Department and see whywe'rea great placeto work check out our websitehttps://www.dia.govt.nz/

Benefits - About Internal Affairs - Careers with us - Benefits - dia.govt.nz

The appointing range for this role is$148,320 - $184,576.

Applications for this role close 5:00pm, 23 October 2026. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

If you have any questions, please email Tania Nedelcheva–Pearson - [e-mail].